Skip to main content

Continental X-King ProTection 2.2in tyre


The X-King sits between Conti’s wider spaced, knobblier Mountain King and Trail King tyres and their super-fast, barely treaded Race King.

The Black Chilli rubber mix is a similar compromise of rolling speed and wear life, with just enough tackiness to stop it being treacherous if things get damp. Where this tyre really scores is agility and acceleration-enhancing low weight despite its cut-proof ProTection carcass and reasonable volume for a 2.2in tyre (the 2.4in is massive). The well-spaced tread hooks up OK in loose loam, gravel or tackier conditions to stay safer than a semi-slick on the front in summer or the rear in winter. It’s floppy at low pressures and doesn’t have the most reliable tubeless seal though, and the cheap version found on some complete bikes is very delicate.

Best for: Front
Weight: 610g
Width: 52mm

Price 75$
Labels

Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

READ MORE >>

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

READ MORE >>

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

READ MORE >>

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

READ MORE >>

CANYON SPECTRAL AL 9.0 EX

CANYON’S COLOUR-COORDINATED Spectral AL 9.0 looks like a bike that means business. With a wishlist of components, it’s hard not to question the fantastic price of this stunning new bike from Germany.

READ MORE >>